Forum: Do more to reduce use of single-use plastics

When I visited my neighbourhood bakery, I noticed that every piece of bread bought was placed in a single-use plastic bag.

This also happens at bakery chains, in the name of hygiene.

While supermarkets reported a 70 per cent to 80 per cent reduction in plastic bag use as at August 2024 compared with the previous year, it seems that single-use plastic consumption beyond supermarkets has remained prevalent.

We should target multiple stakeholders to reduce single-use plastics.

Industry players could pioneer the switch to more sustainable options.

Discounts could be extended to consumers who take along their own bags or cups, while reusable bags should be the default option offered to consumers.

There could also be recycling points set up for excess reusable bags.

I hope for a future where conversations can evolve from “May I have a carrier?” to “I love the design on your reusable bag”.

Sherman Goh